A drug expert in the UK says steroid abuse on par with heroin abuse.
According to the British Crime Survey there are 42,000 regular anabolic steroid users in the UK.
Drugs expert Jim McVeigh said there could be as many as 100,000. "Basically we're looking at numbers being on a par with heroin users," he added.
One treatment centre in Merseyside reports that steroid use has rocketed in the last three years.
Staff now treat four new steroid users for every new heroin user - a reversal of the situation in 2004. There is a particular problem with users aged under 25.
Many of the users are suffering from body dysmorphia according to a UK nurse:
Ms Jones says the use among younger people is growing as more and more strive for the "perfect body".
"It's all about being big, muscular, toned, and they can gain that much quicker using steroids than they ever can working out," she says.
"It does take over. They want to have the rippling six pack with the golden body, but most of them end up as the Arnold Schwarzenegger - that's what they see as success."
The young users are turning to veterinarian steroid preps...likely stronger drugs:
Younger users could be at added risk because of a growing enthusiasm for steroids designed for animals.
"They presume that if it's for an animal it will be much stronger and therefore it will enhance what they want in terms of strength and muscle mass much quicker," Ms Jones added.
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